Actually you will find that Futaba will support both technologies going forward, FASST is a very expensive system derived from a pro setup and used in the hobby market it is far superior to any other system out there, but is much more expensive to produce.

Then you will see S-FHSS which is equivalent to most of the other 2.4ghz in the market today, in other words very good for most modellers and there models.. This system is much more affordable to produce, so this can keep Futaba competitive.. And you will start seeing more FTR's (Futaba ready to Flys) But these would be far to expensive if they were all FASST.. These will be S-FHSS.

There will be a few set's that will do both, this being one the MZ18 being the other. Neither system is being dropped in the future.

It will be interesting to see if Futaba S-FHSS receivers ultimately work to a lower price than the FASST Chinese compatible units which are selling for <$30...

Futaba has really gone down hill when it comes to manuals in the past few years. It makes you winder if the person who wrote the manual has actually used the transmitter. Looks like they were written by an IT guy and not a RC flyer – LOL.

My old 8U manual was far better than my 8FG manual. Futaba USA should do the manuals instead of just using a Japanese to English translation. Maybe that’s the problem.

Confirmation on the Robbe website specifications for the 14SG that it will have 5 flight conditions in ACro mode and that telemetry data will be able to be stored on the SD card with an update scheduled for February 2013.

From Robbe and translated via Systran:

Transmission 14 channel barrel test technology (Futaba Advanced Spread Spectrum technology) the barrel test hybrid technology unites the advantages of DSSS and FHSS modulation. From DSSS Spreading combined with an optimized FHSS frequency hopping transport an outstanding fail-safe characteristic and ultra-fast response times for a precise, direct Steuergefühl.100mW SendeleistungReal time Response – EchtzeitsteuerungDie response time (of operation of the control stick up to the servo reaction) SEIZES system is clearly faster than other 2.4 GHz system very much high range >3000mUltraschnelle, direct, constantly digital modulation for shortest response time-switchable barrel test High speed mode for ultra-fast control of Digitalservos with 6,3 ms (12-Kanal, reduced telemetry functions) Easy link - extremely simple, fast being thing procedure between transmitters and receiver extreme fast and safe automatic RH-Binding show an extreme channel spreading (spreading factor 11) also under difficult condition-intelligent servo timing for even servo control and prevention of servo run time difference dual Antenna Diversity – very fast switching between two receiving antennas for optimal Received signal quality (depending upon receiver) Pre vision –/barrel test receiver scanning the input signal SEIZES permanently and uses an intelligent Futaba error correction. No responsiveness loss also with strongly occupied frequency band-integrated range test function for the examination of the range before that starting type of modulation switchable on SEIZES or FHSS for backward compatibility with existing Futaba components

Telemetry synchronized one, bi-directional communication between transmitters and receivers with high telemetry data rate (up to 9 times per second) 32 telemetry KanäleBis to 1000m range real time announcement of the telemetry data on integrated display speech output over freely zuordenbaren Schalter*Melodie and tone edition (for differentiated Varioinformation) vibrating alert data seizure of control signals (control stick deflections) and telemetry data on SD-Karte*PC-Auswertungssoftware for noted telemetry and GPS data as well as control signals ** receiver signal strength announcement for monitoring that range distance warning system (with optional GPS sensor) for safe flights at that view border receiver splinter warning system for the monitoring the receiver accumulator speech output of the telemetry data by freely selectable switch-freely configurable edition of the telemetry data over display, tone, language and vibration
*Hardware preparatory for speech output and data seizure, function is implemented with free software update, available 02/2013
** in preparation Ergonomics precision control stick with 12-bit (4096 steps) dissolution for precise and most sensitive SteuerungDie “open stick” - mechanics of the control sticks are quadruple running in ball bearings and almost spielfrei74 x 38.5 mm large background-lit display (128 x 64 DOT) with high contrast for best readability also with strong sunlight-graphic user interface and intuitive Cap touch timing gear (with key lock) for the simple operation of all Funktionen9 languages to the selection: German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Czech, Russian, Japanese or Dutch-uniform, intuitive Futaba prompt for simple transfer control elements freely zuordenbarKanalbelegung freely zuordenbarVollständig developed with 20 control elements: 7 switches, 1 tracer, 2 front rotation transducers, 2 lateral Drehgeber2 lateral rotation transducers make a practical operation of auxiliary functions without releasing control stick for all tax giver (also switch etc.) for the freely selectable trimmer selection hardware pole reversal for all givers and switch possible for the free definition of the switching direction model memory direct election in the starting display for fast model selection mode 1-4 switchable

Teacher/pupil function alternatively with optional cable or radio module with single function change-over (teacher can release individual functions to the pupil) and mix enterprise (teacher can override all functions) free configurable pupil teachers channel scheduling

S.BUS technology Function general of 30 model memory integrates, infinitely expandable with SD-map (to 2 GB, SD and SD-HC), 3862 models by optional 2GB SD-KarteModellspeicherdaten of the transmitters T8FG and FX-20 directly readably. Graphic servo monitor for the clear announcement of all servo ways with servo-test function-broad receiver voltage range from 3,6V to 8,4V for flexible selection of the EmpfängerakkusZunkunftssicher by software update ability by SD mixer menus map-tested in practical applications for the programming of all Servos and mixture functions depending upon type of model, e.g. type of surface mixer model dependent special merge programs for: Engine models (2-6 flaps), yachtsman models (2-8 flaps), helicopter (6 swash plate types) (to more information see „functions in the detail “) of 5 flight conditions for each model memory freely programmable for the optimal attitude of each flight condition - flight condition change-over with Prioriätsvergabe and switching delay for soft transition programs for all tail unit types: Normally, V-tail unit, delta, Nurflügler, separate elevators (Ailvator) servo way attitude with limit function for all prop. channel servo pole reversal and center adjustment for channels 1-12Trimmgeber flight condition-dependent-trim-worth-indicates alternatively %, with zero-setting by TrimmspeicherFailsafeeinstellung and Battery-Failsafe-Einstellung2 hour meter, in quilts or of it a modellspeicherbezogen2 free adjustable stopwatches, with MEMORY function-switchable large announcement of the stopwatch function key barrier prevents inadvertent inputs
Functions in the detail
Functions engine model
Extensive mixer menus for models with up to 6 Flächenservos. Apart from the choice of the type of surface knows also between the tail unit variants, normal, separate elevator with transverse function (Ailvator) as well as V-tail unit to be selected. Also delta models or motorized flying wing models of 2… 6 Flächenservos stand to the selection. These mixture menus are accordingly after call already, the model, preprogrammed and contain all necessary mixture functions. - 5 and adjustable dual rate/Expo attitudes freely which can be assigned. - 5 free program mixers linear or 5 point curve per model memory, alternatively with/without trim and offset mixing. - point of 5 gas curve - Speed attitude for gas servo - aileron differentiation - mixer spoiler (Flaperon) - mixer height spoiler (Flaperon) - Mixers side crosswise - Mixer side height
- Mixer Snap roll - Mixture adjustment - Gyroscope attitude - Mixers engine, to the 2-step scolded 1 /2 from engines, with individual speed attitude for stage as well as back and forth.
Functions yachtsmen
Also for gliding models extensive mixer menus are for models with up to 8 Flächenservos at the disposal. Alternatively with or without motorization. Apart from the choice of the type of surface knows also between the tail unit variants, normal, separate elevator with transverse function (Ailvator) as well as V-tail unit to be selected. Also flying wing models of 2… 8 Flächenservos stand to the selection. These mixture menus are already pre-programme and contain all necessary mixture functions. - 5 flight conditions per model memory, with priority assignment and adjustable switching delay. With Logic switching function. - 5 free program mixers linear or 5 point curve per model memory, alternatively with/without trim and offset mixing. - Aileron differentiation - Way attitude curving flaps - Mixers transversecurve - Mixer transverse side - Mixers spoiler-curve - Mixer height spoiler - Mixer curving height - Mixers side crosswise - Mixer Butterfly with offset and delay attitude - Mixer Butterfly - height - Mixers trim-mix for crosswise, side and height, with speed attitude and FZS Umschaltverzögerung. - Gyroscope attitude - Mixers engine, to the 2-step scolded 1 /2 from engines, with individual speed attitude for stage as well as back and forth functions

why does it suck? There is quite a few gadgets being rolled out around the same time.
theres more than enough to keep me busy form December to February. BY then I'll have recovered from the cost of the radio and hopefullyhave a few sensors in hand to make the data logging useful.
As t stands I"m not going to be cut up about only hve battery voltage read out available or not being able to data log if I have the rest of teh sensor suite.

I am glad i Held off buyin another 8FG as I was tempted to do 3 weeks ago. The voices in my head said don't do it

True. Its just the lack of patience talking. Though l really don't mind waiting to get a product that is done right. I will at least have time to save up the money without having to sell a bunch of stuff now